Boise Wins Spot on PETA’s ‘Vegan-Friendly Cities’ List

For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2020

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

The results are in for PETA’s 2020 ranking of the Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Small Cities in the U.S., and Boise’s unique vegan attractions and food—including dozens of vegan-friendly restaurants—have landed it the number five spot on the list. In recognition, PETA has sent an award certificate to Mayor Lauren McLean.

For many years, PETA has named the most vegan-friendly big cities in the U.S. This year, as so many people are migrating to smaller cities in the wake of COVID-19, PETA has shifted its sights, too, and has picked the country’s top 10 most vegan-friendly small cities.

“The small cities on PETA’s list are big hot spots for the delicious animal-friendly cuisine that today’s diners demand,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Whether you’re looking for a vegan food tour, a cruelty-free tattoo, or a hearty Southern fried “chicken” sandwich, Boise’s got it.”

The city’s many standout vegan-friendly eateries include Oh Vegan Soul, a PETA award winner that dishes up fried mushroom po’ boy sandwiches, beer-battered “fish” made from banana blossoms, and more. Mai Thai Modern Asian Cuisine offers an entire vegan menu, including vegan bao buns stuffed with veggies and vegan pork. And BBQ4Life offers up plenty of vegan options, including vegan nachos, mac ’n’ cheese, and sandwiches stuffed with house-smoked tempeh and slathered with BBQ sauce. Unique to Boise are a local support group for healthy vegan eating, a vegan dining tour, and a vegan tattoo parlor.

The number of vegan Americans has increased by 600% in just three years, according to research firm GlobalData. Each person who goes vegan prevents nearly 200 animals a year from enduring daily suffering and a terrifying death; dramatically shrinks their carbon footprint; reduces their risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; and helps prevent future pandemics. SARS, swine flu, bird flu, and COVID-19 all stemmed from confining or killing animals for food.

Topping PETA’s list is Asheville, North Carolina, followed by Dayton, Ohio; Frederick, Maryland; Tacoma, Washington; San Marcos, Texas; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bend, Oregon; and Bisbee, Arizona.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.